The Ecumenical Leadership Institute will be held July 23-27 at Theological College next door to the USCCB offices in Washington DC (across the street from Catholic University). The purpose of this Institute is to help newly-appointed Ecumenical Officers and arch/diocesan commission members, diocesan leaders, members of religious orders, seminarians, theology students and interested laity, (anyone, really who could benefit from the information – people in ministry of any kind) get acquainted with the ecumenical spirit and documents of the Church in relationship with other Christian communities.

Guest Speaker

Donna Hollis, OFS

National OFS

Ecumenical/Interfaith Committee Member

National OFS

Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity

OFS Animator

Donna learned early on that we are all God’s Children no matter where we go to Church. As long as we keep our relationship with Him close and are accepting of others especially those that are different than us; we can be at peace with those around us. She believes dialogue begins with building relationships which brings trust and openness and acceptance. Her lifetime experiences have led her to an open heart and willingness to step out of her comfort zone in order to receive what the Spirit is showing her through others.

The book, the Sultan and the Saint, reminds us of the actions of St Francis when he met with the Sultan. Pope Francis said modern societies are demonstrating fear of other religions, but also fear of any religion, which is another reason why followers of different faiths should meet, dialogue and work together to promote the common good and show others that faith makes positive contributions to society.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 In these days when acts of violence and hate speech are all too common, many find themselves fearful, with a sense of helplessness. We don't have to be. As followers of Christ, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and reconcilers just as he was. This retreat aims to reinforce our trust in and dedication to the peacemaking work of Christ. Through reflection on scripture, prayer, and times of silence, participants will have opportunities to personally tap into that "peace that surpasses all understanding." Furthermore, they will consider ways to create safe and constructive dialog between those who have not had much positive conversation with each other regarding race, politics, class, or religion. And to help put faith into practice, they will be empowered with methods to use in their relationships and communities for positive responses to violence.

To Find out more and to register visit www.rootsandbranchesprograms.org or call 646-401-2790

MISSION

Click the image or here to download a single file of the printable EAD description brochure to share in your community.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

HISTORY

EAD began in 2003 as a coalition of sponsor organizations holding an annual national education and advocacy conference around different social justice issues for Christian advocacy. Since then it has become the premier Christian advocacy event in the United States, bringing together 1,000 faith advocates each year to mobilize for action and to make a public witness on Capitol Hill. EAD has addressed such issues as food justice, economy & livelihood, poverty & hunger, immigration & refugees, climate change, national & international security, and issues especially affecting women and children around the world. Visit our Past National Gatherings page to view resources and information from several past National Gatherings.

COME TO WASHINGTON

Our annual National Gathering provides participants with tools to be effective Christian witnesses to justice, peace, and integrity of creation around carefully chosen issues of national and international importance. Incorporating music, art, worship, education, and social activities, the weekend event informs and engages the participating advocates in a comprehensive way. Activities include a series of interactive plenary sessions and workshops addressing aspects of the issue on a global scale, with workshop interest sections including Africa, Asia-Pacific, Domestic U.S., Eco-Justice, Global Economic Justice, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Peace and Global Security. There are also advocacy skills training experiences and networking opportunities by state and denomination, preparing advocate groups for a focused Lobby Day conversation with their Members of Congress and Senators on the basis of a specific “Legislative Ask,” which is carefully prepared by policy experts and which articulates solid policy rooted in our common Christian social justice traditions. Click on the menu at the top of the page to get more information about the current year’s National Gathering or to register.

2017 Animate Peace Gathering

27 – 30 July 2017

Renaissance Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri

The Gathering begins Thursday evening with 5pm

dinner and ends on Sunday at 11am

In his opening statement of the 2017 World Day of Peace Message, PopeFrancis prays that, "especially in situations of conflict, let us respectthis, our deepest dignity, and make active nonviolence our way of life."

Our Holy Rule tells us to be mindful that we are all bearers of peace, andas such, we are called to continual conversion of heart and mind.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 In these days when acts of violence and hate speech are all too common, many find themselves fearful, with a sense of helplessness. We don't have to be. As followers of Christ, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and reconcilers just as he was. This retreat aims to reinforce our trust in and dedication to the peacemaking work of Christ. Through reflection on scripture, prayer, and times of silence, participants will have opportunities to personally tap into that "peace that surpasses all understanding." Furthermore, they will consider ways to create safe and constructive dialog between those who have not had much positive conversation with each other regarding race, politics, class, or religion. And to help put faith into practice, they will be empowered with methods to use in their relationships and communities for positive responses to violence. Co-led by the Revs. Masud Ibn Syedullah and Garrett Mettler at Taconic Retreat Center in Milan, NY. Accommodations at the retreat center and all meals are included in the $300 registration cost. To find out more and to register visit www.taconicretreat.org or call 845-758-8764.

The National Workshop for Christian Unity (NWCU) which will be held May 1-May 4, 2017, at the Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, Minneapolis, MN. Please click here for the CADEIO Opening Day, General Assembly, & Closing Day schedules.

With recent political decisions to attempt to ban Muslims and refugees from entering this nation for a better life or even for safety, what is our role in responding as people of faith? As a nation founded upon principles of religious freedom and enshrined in our Constitution, what are the duties of a Christian majority in defending the freedom of religious minorities? Fear is a highly controlling force that plays a major role in the narrative around Muslims – and a lack of common understanding about Islam as a religion often fuels the fire of fear. Building Bridges | A Christian-Muslim Interfaith Dialogue is an opportunity for us to learn more about Islam and our Muslim brothers and sisters. At this moderated panel discussion, our speakers will discuss:

what our faiths have in common;

the “Muslim experience” in this country;

ways that we can support each other in our communities as people of faith;

ways that Christians and Muslims can work together to strive for peace, justice, and understanding in our communities and the greater world.

Please join us on Sunday, March 26th at 1:30 pm for this timely and important “Conversation That Matters.” For more information, and to sign up, please visit St. Luke's Eventbrite page here.

An Interfaith Conference to Celebrate the Unity and Common Life We Share in the Holy One In these times of suspicion and fear of people of different faith traditions, this conference, led by a rabbi, Christian priest, and imam, affirms the Divine Light that shines through all people of Godly faith, and offers an opportunity to experience that Life-Giving Spirit in “the other.” Participants hear presentations, and experience some of the spiritual practices of the three Abrahamic traditions, including Holy Scripture, music, poetry, and sacred movement. Designed to facilitate conversation and understanding among people of different faith traditions, participants go forth from the conference as witnesses of unity and hope. For more information and to sign up, click here.

The traditional Period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is January 18-25. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by the Servant of God, Fr. Paul Wattson, SA Founder of the Society of the Atonement, to cover the original days of the feasts of the Chair of St. Peter (January 18) and the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), and therefore have a symbolic significance.